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Original poster

What does "unsafe water" mean, really? (mb?)

22 replies

NotQuiteCockney · 07/02/2006 12:33

We're off to Mexico in two days (panic! panic! panic!) and I'm finding myself wondering about the unsafe water thing.

What's in the water? Bacteria? Viruses? Amoebae? What are they living on, in the water? Is this a fecal matter thing? Or what?

Are the same viruses/bacteria/amoebae in, say, raw fruit and veg there? Or does the plant's immune system protect it?

OP posts:
Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 07/02/2006 13:10

bump?

OP posts:
RTKangaMummy · 07/02/2006 13:16

You need to talk to ALBERT she is in BRAZIL and so may have more knowledge

Hope you have a Deffo brill time

iota · 07/02/2006 13:17

here's something I just googled

bangersandmash · 07/02/2006 13:19

but that article is 11yrs old so things may have changed i suppose.

i think unless theres a cholera outbreak or something going on the worst youre likely to get is the runs.

iota · 07/02/2006 13:21
  • I checked the date and forgot what decade we are in!
Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 07/02/2006 13:21

That article is smarter than I am, I think. Anyway, it's not Mexico City, it's Guadalajara area. (And unfortunately it's not a holiday, it's a funeral thing, so a great time is unlikely.)

I don't think cholera is likely there, it's inland ... but there is a lake. No idea, really. We'll be using bottled water, etc etc, I just want to understand how it all works, iyswim.

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Blandmum · 07/02/2006 13:21

It depends where you go. Can be any of the things that you mention.

The raw veg/friut thing is because they get washed in tap water, and pick up the same viruses etc

If you can't see that it is hot, or take the skin off it....so bananas would be OK cos you don't eat the peel, don't eat it. Bottled water or boiled (as in tea and coffee) will probably be OK

chapsmum · 07/02/2006 13:25

Not quite a cockney, where abouts in mexico are you going?
There are cetain things you need to consider depending on the area e choli, lysteria, water born pathogens.
a travel clinic could advise you.
You can get iodine drops but these will only kill bacteria and do not completely purify the water, plus it tastes horrid...
The best thing I got for traveling in brazil was a bottle with a special filture which purified the water and removed 99.somthing % of bacteria pathogens, crypto and other bad stuff, do you want me to try and find it on the internet for you??

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 07/02/2006 13:26

Would tablets etc kill viruses? Would chlorine? I thought viruses were a lot sturdier than bacteria/amoebae?

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chapsmum · 07/02/2006 13:27

dont order salad as the leaves will have been washe in the water and never take ice in your drink.

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 07/02/2006 13:28

chapsmum, we'll be in Ajijic, which is on lake Chapala, south of Guadalajara. I don't think we'll need a filter, there is bottled water there, and we'll just be staying in one place, I think.

OP posts:
Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 07/02/2006 13:29

Yeah, i've heard, re salad and ice. Problem is, my appetite is somewhat broken at the moment, and salady stuff and fresh fruit are most of what I want. I can always buy fruit and peel it, or wash it myself in bottled water, I guess.

OP posts:
Blandmum · 07/02/2006 13:30

The probelm will be that you will not be able to 'purify' say a salad, without soakin it is some form of water/disinfectant mix.....not really possible if you are in a restaurant!

Eat cooked, hot food, avoid salads and drink bottled water and you will be fine.

And even if you do get something, a mild dose of the squits is worth it for a chance to go to mexico. take some rehydration salts with you just in case!

Blandmum · 07/02/2006 13:30

Oh, yes you are right abou the ice

chapsmum · 07/02/2006 13:30

this is what i used
I used this in the middle of the brazilian jungle, and drank water filtered form the amazon with no upset stomach"!!!!
There is a good explaination at the bottom of the page about which product does what.This is a very reasonable price for this product, I paid £55 for it!

RTKangaMummy · 07/02/2006 13:31

NotQuiteCockney I am sorry about me thinking it was a holiday

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 07/02/2006 13:35

Yeah, we'll take dioralyte, and also immodium, for me.

I'm not at all thrilled about going, I'm afraid. I really prefer to holiday in first world countries (Japan is nice, so is Iceland), I like safety, order, cleanliness, and nobody hassling me for money. I've resisted visiting Mexico for years and years, but my mom finally worked out how to get me to go - she died there.

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Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 07/02/2006 13:36

Not your fault RTKangaMummy, you didn't know.

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Blandmum · 07/02/2006 13:37

I'm very sorry too

I had forgotten your earlier threads.

Hope it all goes as well as possible.

chapsmum · 07/02/2006 13:40

so sorry to hear that NQC.
If you are in an urban area am sure you could get by on just bottled water, avoid uncooked fruit and veg, slad and ice. And remeber to have a bottle of water for brusshing your teeth. Get some dicinfectant hand rub from boots to use after you've washed your hands.
v sorry your having to go for that reason

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 07/02/2006 13:40

No stress, mb. Thanks for turning up, I was counting on you to be someone who had the answers. Oh, I found my copy of "furtive fauna" the other day, also got a copy of a lovely kid's book on poo: "Poo: A natural history of the unmentionable", with some lovely bits about Postman Poo (the bat).

OP posts:
Blandmum · 07/02/2006 13:45

It is my half day in work today (I work part time)

Ironicaly I've picked up a tummy bug myself and I'm feeling rather sick!

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